“And I turned into a killer. The end,” Riley said, getting to his feet.
“Not a killer, not right away,” Gemma said. She looked at me to explain. “Like Callum, Riley struggles internally… There’s a part of him that’s bound.”
“We’ve heard enough,” Riley growled, cutting off her words.
I began to worry that he was going to take off. Killer or not, I needed him. “I think you better talk to Cole,” I told Gemma.
She nodded. Before she went after my brother, she grabbed my arm. “Be careful. You cannot trust him.”
Riley made a sound and I shook off her arm. “Thank you for telling us this.”
Gemma glanced toward Cole. “I never meant to hurt you or to keep this from you. I just never knew how to say it.”
“It’s okay,” I said, meaning it.
When Gemma was out of earshot, I turned to Riley. “I don’t care if you’re a killer.”
His dark eyes affixed on me. “Until I try and kill you.”
“You wouldn’t do that.”
“Does Sam know you found me?”
I swallowed. “No.”
“How come?” He took a step closer to me. I held my ground.
“I don’t want to worry him.”
“Because he would be worried if he knew that you were with me?”
“I’m not sure,” I hedged.
“Yes, you are. He ran Casey and me out of town because he didn’t want us anywhere near you. Why do you think that is?”
I didn’t want to think about that.
Riley took another step closer, his warm breath brushing over my face. “Because Gemma is right. I am a killer.” As if on cue, his eyes flashed silver.
“I’m not scared of you.” My voice was strong.
He lifted a brow. “Don’t ever think you know me because I’m a hellhound like your boy. Sam and I are nothing alike. I’ve done some very bad things.”
“Is killing one of them?” I met his gaze straight-on.
“Why do you think I had to swim to catch up to the ferry last night? I stayed behind to take care of a few things.”
I gasped. “You killed those men?”
“Not all of them. Just the two who threatened you.”
“Why would you do that?” I searched for any indication he might be lying, but all I saw was truth.
“Better them than you.” He shrugged. Did he have so little value for human life, then?
“I took care of them. Of myself.”
“I thought the message you sent wasn’t strong enough.” He stared into my eyes, almost challenging me. Was he talking this way just to get a reaction? Was he trying to scare me away? Was I going to let him?
I stood there for a moment, not once looking away from his cold stare. Then, I shrugged. His eyes narrowed at the small movement.
“I don’t care.”
“You don’t?”
“Nope. As far as I’m concerned, having a killer on my side will only help me get Sam back.”
“Who says I’m on your side?” he said very quietly, almost a growl straight from his throat.
“If you weren’t, you would’ve killed me already, instead of just threatening me, being that you’re such a cold-blooded killer and all.” I waved my hand in front of his face, wafting away his veiled threat and my fear.
He threw back his head and laughed. He had a good laugh. It wasn’t the laugh of a killer.
“What do you say we get out of here? I have somewhere I need to be.”
His eyes narrowed like he was trying to decide if I had an agenda. I picked up my coffee and took a sip. It was cold.
“Walk back to the house with me?” I said to Logan. We walked away without another glance in his direction. I suppressed a smile when he fell into step behind us.
“I don’t trust him, but you’re right. We need him to get Sam,” Logan said quietly to me. Even though his voice was quiet, I knew without a doubt Riley was listening.
I smiled at Logan. For once, it felt like we were on the same team. Team Sam. “Thanks for the support.”
Even though I was shaken about the things Gemma said about Riley and I was scared that I wouldn’t be able to rescue Sam, I was still going to be strong. I wasn’t going to let on how afraid I really was. Especially not in front of Logan.
I glanced over my shoulder at Riley and smirked, putting a hand on my hip. “Let’s go. Where we’re going… I’m going to need you to refrain from murder.”
*
Training this morning had not gone as I planned and I was full of pent-up energy and anger. Probably because there was too much talking and not enough punching. My dream from the night before left me feeling a sick kind of dread in the pit of my stomach that I couldn’t shake. I didn’t ask Riley if he was up for a run because I knew he would be. He was a hellhound. He could outrun me with ease. He didn’t say anything when I pulled off the main road and parked Gran’s Toyota in the grass. He didn’t say anything when I climbed out of the car and zipped the car keys into the little pocket in the leggings I was wearing. When I began stretching, his lips remained closed too.
I sighed. My little test to see how far he would go without asking any questions failed. “We’re going to the hospital, to see my mother. I like to park a few miles from the hospital and run the distance there. ”
He nodded. “How far?”
“Today I parked seven miles away.” I waited for him to scoff at the mileage.
“Sounds good.” He pushed the hair off his forehead and glanced at me. “You ready?”
I hoped I didn’t make a fool of myself by trying to run this far. Yesterday, I had only run five miles. “Yeah.” I reached into the truck and pulled out my small backpack and strapped it onto my back. “Let’s go.”
We only made it a few yards when I stumbled. The next thing I knew I was hit with an overwhelming white light. I heard Riley calling my name and I tried to tell him everything was fine, but there wasn’t time for that before I disappeared.
*
The InBetween looked the same as every other time I had been here: empty and white. Airis was standing in the center, dressed all in white (you think she would get tired of being colorless all the time). Her blond hair was long and hanging down her back. Her face seemed to be frozen in the same expression she always wore: serene and loving.
“Please excuse the interruption,” she began smoothly. “I needed to speak with you.”
“Has something happened? Is my dad all right?” I knew better than to ask to see him. After we had to leave Sam in hell, I went to Airis for help. She refused to help me, something I still hadn’t forgotten. To her credit, and to soften the blow, she had gifted me a few precious moments with my father, who had died a few years ago.
“Your father is well.”
“Has something happened to Sam?” I asked frantically.
“I can’t see into hell, remember?”
I nodded. “What is it?”
“I wanted to speak with you about you. I’m concerned.”
“About me?”
“Yes. I’m concerned you’re veering from your path.”
“My path?”
“As a Supernatural Treasure, you’re protecting a Treasure Map. How’s that going?”
“The map is safe.”
“For how long?”
“Excuse me?”
“I’m concerned about the choices you’ve been making lately.”
“My choices?” I echoed, confused.
Airis came forward and laid a hand upon my cheek; peace flowed through her into me. I pulled back. “Things are very confusing right now, I know. Do not lose sight of the path you are on by trusting the wrong people who could lead you astray.”
Did she mean Riley?
“I haven’t forgotten the path that I’m on and that I need to get the map to safety. And I will. But right now I have to get Sam out of hell.”
“You would risk the map for him… a hellhound?”
Of course I would, but something held me back from saying that. “He isn’t just a hellhound, and up until Sam disappeared, you seemed to think he was worthy and on the same path as I.”
“He may not be the same if he comes back,” Airis said, not unkindly.
“He’s the same,” I insisted. My anger was growing.
Airis bowed her head in what I hoped was agreement. “I just wanted to remind you of your path and to warn you of those who tempt you to turn from it.”
“Are you worried that I might trade the scroll for Sam’s release?”
“Would you?”
I was shocked that she would ask me so blatantly. While it had crossed my mind, I knew that it wasn’t an option. It was why I was exhausting every other resource I had available to me, including Riley. Maybe that’s what made Airis so nervous. “No. I wouldn’t. I understand how important the scroll is.”
“Do you understand how important you are to the scroll?”
“No.” It was my turn to answer so directly. “I don’t. Will you tell me?”
“Resist the devil and he will flee from you,” Airis responded.
“What?”
“There’s a thin line between heaven and hell. Remember which side you are on. Don’t ever forget.”
“I won’t forget.”
“Remember that God allows us the freedom of free will. Use yours wisely and beware of hidden evil.”
“I don’t understand.”
“May God be with you.” She lifted her hand and I knew she was going to send me away.
“Airis, wait…” But it was too late.
Everything went white.
Chapter Seven
Sam
Frustration. It was the kind of feeling that filled you up, made your skin feel tight, like it was stretching to the point of bursting.
I had been so close.
So close to escaping. To being free. So close, yet so very far away.
I lay on the dirty hard floor, ignoring the aching in my ribs and knee. At least my knee was healing enough that I could put weight on it. I would need to be mobile for the next time.
Because next time there would be no stopping me.
After being tossed back into this hole, Beelzebub stormed up the stairs and silence descended once more. But as I lay there berating myself, there came a noise. Muffled, but still I heard it. I glanced over at the doorway leading to the steps, realizing that whatever it was came from upstairs.
Beelzebub was still here.
A loud shatter sounded and there was a heavy thump on the floor above. Clearly, he wasn’t alone. I moved toward the doorway of my cell, toward the sounds. My hearing was still good. Maybe I could find out what was going on.
“You dare challenge me!” Beelzebub roared. Well, it wasn’t loud, but I heard it so clearly I knew he had to be yelling. Which, really, wasn’t new for him. He had two tones: loud and extremely loud.
All the better to hear him.
Someone else spoke, but at a much lower tone, and I couldn’t make out the words.
“Where is it?” Beelzebub demanded.
Again, I only heard the muffled voice in response. But judging from the sounds of shattering objects, I knew whatever was said did not make Beelzebub very happy.
“You will do as you are told. You have no choice,” he demanded.
“I don’t have it.” I strained and was able to hear.
“You have twelve hours. Or the deal is off.”
I wasn’t surprised Beelzebub had a deal with someone. He probably had a million deals. There were so many desperate people out there that his power and false promises were probably very enticing. Still, I wondered what this deal was for.
“And if you betray me, you’ll end up chained to the floor of hell to be fed on for all eternity!” He laughed like the idea thrilled him. Which, I’m sure it did.
Chained to the floor of hell? Fed on for all eternity? That was a new one. It made me realize we knew next to nothing about hell and the other dealings that went on down here. Maybe it was time we looked beyond the scope of the horror that plagued us.
I was ashamed to admit that I never thought anything could be worse.
It wasn’t the first time I would be wrong.
My attention was caught once more by the muffled voice of another. I strained to hear through the thick granite walls.
“Go, now! The opportunity is now! The next time I see you, it better be done!”
More loud thumps and a few more shattering sounds echoed; then everything fell quiet once more.
I leaned back against the wall, and for once, I was grateful I was trapped in here. Maybe that was preferable to being chained to the floor of hell.
Heven
“Riley!” I yelled. “Riley!”
When I got back to the spot where I left Riley, he wasn’t there. I ran to the car and peered in the windows, wondering where he went. Did he take my sudden disappearance as a chance to run off? Did he decide helping Sam wasn’t worth his time? The interior of the car was clearly empty and I turned away, rushing to the line of trees. I ran right into something solid and warm. I would have fallen, but strong arms grabbed me by the shoulders and steadied me.
“Are you all right?” Riley asked. His face was smooth as usual, but his eyes betrayed him. There was a hint of that silver in them and his fingers bit into my arms a bit too much for me to believe he was unaffected by my disappearance.
“I’m fine. I didn’t mean to worry you.”
“I wasn’t worried.”
I didn’t think calling an admitted killer a liar was smart, so I let that one go. I glanced down at his hands holding me and he let go, but he didn’t move away.
“I was in the InBetween with Airis. I told you about her.” He nodded and I continued. “She just wanted to talk to me.”
“Does that happen a lot?”
“No. Usually, I call her.”
“What did she want?”
“Nothing.”
He lifted a thick brow. I wasn’t about to get into it with him on the side of the road. Besides, I wasn’t even sure what I thought of it yet.
“Are you ready?” I didn’t wait for him to respond, but began jogging ahead. Now, more than ever, I needed to run. I wasn’t worried I wouldn’t make the seven miles anymore. I would. I had plenty of stress and anxiety to keep me going.
Riley fell into step with ease. “Relax your shoulders,” he instructed. “You’re too tense.”
I wanted to laugh. Instead, I did what he suggested. He didn’t say anything more and I was grateful. My mind was too distracted to hold a conversation. Had Airis been warning me about working with Riley? Out of the corner of my eye, I looked at him. There was a lot of evidence that said he wasn’t to be trusted, that he was dangerous and unreliable.
But I didn’t feel that way.
I trusted him.
What did she mean by turning from my path? She almost made it seem like I should turn my back on Sam and leave him there. That didn’t seem very godly to me. How could she turn her back on someone who had risked everything for her cause?
I stumbled on a rock but righted myself and kept right on running. In fact, I pushed harder.
Airis talked a lot about those who would seek to turn me from my path. She warned me of people who weren’t to be trusted.
What if one of those people was her?
*
When we hit the parking lot, I stopped running. My lungs burned and my legs felt like Jell-O, but I made it and that was all that mattered. I was still worried about my little visit with Airis and what it all meant, but the run drained the worst of my anxiety. For that, I was grateful.
Riley walked beside me and I had to strain to even hear him breathing. “Are you even winded? Was that not hard for you at all?”
He smiled. He had the kind of smile that was arrogant and self-assured. Stubble lined his jaw and I wondered how often he had to shave because his hair was so dark. I doubted he cared when he shave
d and only did it when he felt like it. He didn’t strike me as the kind of guy who cared what people thought. In fact, it probably amused him when people didn’t approve. He noticed my stare and grinned wider. I dropped my eyes.
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